Wall construction and ribbed channel-brick therefor.



WALL coNsRucnoN AND R- BB'ED'CHANNEL BRICK THEREFOR.

APFLICATIONFILE-D MAR. 20| 1914.v

Patented D60. 18,1917.

UNITED sTATns PATIENT orrion.

JONATHAN IP. B. FISKE, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TG FISKE & COM- PANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

WALL CONSTRUCTION AND RIBBED CHANNELBNICK Tnnnnr'on.

To adlllglwm t may concer-n.'

B e Ait known that I, JONATHAN P. B. Fisxnyacitizen of the United States, and

.residenti-i-,of Newton, county of Middlesex,

State .ofgfMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in .Wall Construction and Ribbed-v Channel-Brick Therefor, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanymg rawings, 'is a specication, like letters on the drawings representin like parts.

y present invention isa novel form of Wall construction employing a novel type of channel ribbed tile or block. 'In the manufacture of hollow tile for building construction, greatdiiiiculty has heretofore been ex- Iperienced 1n making such a wall moistureproof, as the moisture was apt to work through th\e horizontal courses of mortar. I have discovered that, by forming a ribbed channelbrick with projecting ribs of very substantial length and on opposite sides of the body `portion, a moisture-proof wallV could be constructed. Preferably also I arrange such a channel brick with such ribs to obtain the benet of an interlocking or overlapping ribbed construction, and prefer to form said interlocking ribs Aof substantially equal extent or height, so that each rib will overlap the other for substantially its entire length and constitute a series of load carrying ribs, ianges or webs, and afford a seat for a small course of mortar between the projecting ribs of one channel brick and the web or body portion of the adjacent brick or tile`. As herein illustrated iii-preferred forms, I provide, arblock or tile with ribs projecting from opposite sides of substantially equal depthand so arranged as to afford a .irm solid supporting construction at either surface of the wall. It is'a further important object 'of my present invention to provide a channel brick of simple construction, which may be readily formed in a die machine,

with the ribs formed continuously as the brick or tile material is forced out ofthe die, permitting rapid and economical construcy'.Aspecial feature of a wall constructed of my interlocking channel brick is the very -load-carryinof or Specification of Letters Patent. Patented De@ 18a 1917. Application led March 20, 1914. Serial No. 826,098.

great strength of such wall, not only in its l compressive capacity, but also 1n its lateralstrength. I have discovered that a wall formed of such interlocking brick will withstand very severe lateral strains, even yielding and spring ing laterally and instantly returning to normal form when the lateral .strain is removed, without inthe least disrupting the .wall formation, mortar courses, or strength.

In` fact, the entire wall, to an appreciable extent, possesses an inherent resiliencyhere-l tofore unknown in brick construction. f I attribute this result to the truss construction, e'. c. a large number of linterlocking webs and ribs, vertically and horizontally positioned throughout the wall, and ltiedtogether by the horizontal body portion built integrally into each ofthe side wells and with the overlapping rib and mortar connections thereto, thus giving` a basket-like strength orv tenacity, laterally, diagonally, and in substantially all directions, providing a firm interlacing of the vertically adjacent rows of channel brick.

Other features of the invention, novel details of construction, andadvantages, will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed. 'i Referring to f the drawings, Figure l illustrates one form of my improved ribbed building block in cross sec tion, as the same issues from a die. said block being afterward cut in two longitudinally to form two separate blocks;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of a wall construction embodying the form of tiles illustrated in Fig. l;

Fig, 3 shows in cross section a modified form of ribbed tile, as the same issues from the die of the machine comprising two bricks;

Fig. 4 illustrates a wall constructionmade from the tile of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a still further form in cross section of ribbed tile;v

Fig. 6 illustrates a wall construction ofthe tile shown in Fig. 5; andv Figs; 7 and 8 show vrespectively stillf further modified forms of my ribbed tile as the same is made and as built in a wall.

The-.channel brick illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises the web or body portionl and the oppositely depending langes2, 2, on one side, and the centrally projecting rib 3 on the opposite side, each tile being cut longitudinally along the serrated or weakened portion 4 of the stream of tile material, as the same issues from a die in duplex form, as shown in Fig. 1. The tile are out in proper lengths byany side cutting or rotary wire cutter, and are then built as shown in Fig. 2 in a wall. Preferably the web or body portion 1 is ot suiicient width Jfor the entire width of wall construction in which ,A the tile will be used, and the outer faces of the depending anges 2, 2 may be nished,

roughened, or otherwise treated to constitute the exposed surface of the wall. Preferably the central rib 3 and open depending ribs 2, 2, are of equal extent in depth and thickness, and co-extensive in length with the body portion 1, said rib and {ianges also being of sub tantially the same thickness as the body portion 1 of the tile. In building a wall construction, I prefer to lay-the mortar strips 5, 6, and 7 as shown, the mortar strips 5, and 6 being of slightly greater width than the thickness of lianges 2, and serving 4to support and unite the same on to the body portion of the next adjacent hollow tile, while the central rib 3 is also utilized, pretcrablyr as an aid to support the wallby the intermediate mortar strip or ribbon 6, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. A wall so constructed contains the two horizontal air spaces 8 and 9, and any moisture which may possibly be driven through the mortar .strip 7 on one side could not work up over the central rib 3 nor across the two spaces 8 and 9 to the opposite side of the wall. This feature of a moisture-proof construction is of the greatest importance in hollow tile walls, and has heretofore been a serious objection to this type of building construction. By means of my ribbed hollow tile herein illustrated, I provide the rib 3 and spaces 8 and 9 across which moisture, which might penetrate in one side ot the wall, cannot be driven, or work clear to the other'side of the wall. Furthermore this ribbed tile permits of speedy assembling and construction.

The form or ribbed tile illustrated in Fig. 3 is formed in a similar manner to that already explained, having a horizontal web or i body portion 10 with two depending side 'securing the moisture-proof wall.

anges or faces 11, 11 and centrally projecting ribs 12, 12 on'the opposite side to the flanges 11. As illustrated in Fig. 4, this type of hollow tile atl'ords a plurality of horizontal air spaces 13 and 14, each affording a space from the mortar courses 15 and 16 with the central mortar course 17, thus moisture which might work through the courses 15 would not be able to work up over the ribs 12 through the intermediate mortar 17 and opposite corresponding rib 12, and.

across the second air space 13 to the other side of the wall.

land oppositely extending ribs 20 so as t0 secure a central air space 21 in the wall constructed therefrom. In building a wall with this type of tile, I may either form the mortar course 22 as a solid filling between the depending flange 19 of one tile and the adjacent rib 20of the next tile, so that said mortar will take up part of the load of the wall and thus afford a solid side wall construction, or I may simply form the relatively narrow strip or ribbon of mortar as shown at 23 on the other side of the wall illustrated in Fig. 6, or I may use the solid mortar course22 on one side vand leave an additional air.y space 24 on the side adjacent the narrow mortar course as is illustrated in Fig. 6. In either case I obtain the advantages o a moisture-proof wall, with the mortar courses spaced apart so 'that any moisture working in through the course 22, for example, even if it could possibly work up over thev relatively high rib 20, could not work across the open air space 21 and 'over the second .rib- 20 and out to the other side of the wall.

extent, and a duplex hollow tile from which my hollow tile is cut, would be formed .as illustrated in Fig. 7, and cut longitudinally into two tiles. These tiles may be b uilt into a wall construction either with the sides hav- In Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated a still ing the four projecting ribs downwardly, or

upwardly, the latter form being shown 1n- Fig. 8, and in either instance arm interlocking hollow tile construction is secured, the projecting ribs 28 on one side fitting within an outer rib 26, and middle rib 27 of the reverse side of the adjacent block, as clearly, illustrated in Fig. 8, the intervening air space 29 eiectually separating the two sides which constitute the inner and outer bearings of the wall. The mortar colrrses 30 I prefer to form substantially as shown in Fig. 8, giving a irm solid supporting surface utilizing the three adjacent ribs 26, 28, and 27 of each pair of interlocking tiles, and giving a very strong, rigid supporting construction. It will be noted that the mortar courses-30 are of zig-.zag or Z-shape, which not only binds together the interlocking ribs and webs of adjacent channel brick, but also holds the same firmly in position and solidilies'thefenti're mass, while presenting a peculiar form of mortarv course i through which moisture will not seep or be driven. This zigzag feature is distinctly novel and is of importance in the entire secure the-advantages of a moisture-proof wall, of an interlocking hollow tile construction, and of a tile and wall which can be quickly, easily and readily built. Further more, the tiles herein shown can be used as finishing or top tiles, the projecting ribs 3 in the form shown in Figs. I and 2, 12, 20, and 28 respectively in the other forms of the block shown, being simply knocked oft' and the top of the body portion ofeach tile presenting a smooth surface to receive joists, timbers, or the like. The oppositely prog'ecting ribs are substantially equal in extent, and each of the same width and strength as the other and an even distribution of weight and strain is carried thereby. All horizontal mortar courses on one side of the wall are absolutely separated from the mortar courses on the other side by vertical partitions on each tile and by an open air space, to attain the highly desirable moisture-proof feature as already explained.V The horizonl,

tal air passages are intercommunicating through the abutting ends of the adjacent channel brick in each row, by the omission of the vertical mortar course, as clearly indicated at 31, in Fig. 6, so that both horizontal and vertical air passages are provided and the benefit of a complete air circulation is afforded. My novel form of channel ribbed brick enables a hollow wall construction to be laid up witha double pair of wall sides, each side consisting of a pair of load carryin ribs, preferably interlocking, and preferab y solidified by the bondin material. Furthermore, a moisture-proo wall construction is provided having horizontal air openings separating the mortar courses, as well asan interlocking feature in each one of the twin walls, whichl walls inclose one or more central horizontal air spaces. The great advantages of economy of material, lightness of construction for transportation, etc., speed and facility in laying up a wall of such channel brick formation will be fully appreciated, and the pair of twin walls, each wall comprising a plurality of load carrying ribs or webs, and with alternate mortar layers constituting a solid lireresisting construction, is of special value.

By having the oppositely projecting ribs or webs substantially equal in width, even burning of this type of channel brick is insured, all the webs and ribs being of approximately equal thiclmess and 'thus the material shrinking uniformly during drying` and burning. The channel brick of 1n l present application is characterizedby the provision of a plurality of parallel ribs or webs on opposite sides thereof. so formed as to enable the twin wall construction above eirplained to be built, but in my .copending application, Serial No. 826,099, filed MarchV g, 20, 1914, l have claimed the channel brickl and the double ortwin wall lconstruction formed of interlocking and overlapping ianges extending from vone side only ofthe, horizontal' portion. In vmy copending application Serial No. 871,271, filed November- 10, 1914, I have shown a furtherA-forinof simple construction of channel brick ein? l bodying the double or twin wall feature.

nels being of substantial width and all parts of the brick being of substantially equal thickness, whereby pillars of alternating brick andl bonding material, with the intervening inner air 'space are provided in the wall structure.

2. A channel brick for hollow Wall construction, each brick comprising a central body portion on each side of which are formed vertically extendin ribs constitut-I ing twin walled mortar receiving channels on one surface ofthe body portion, the' outer rib being of substantially standard brick area, and a verticallyextending interlocking lug on the opposite surface between each pair of ribs, the body portion and said vertically extending ribs and lug being of substantially equal thickness, whereby pillars of alternats ing brick and bonding material, with the lug on one brick interlocking between the pair of ribs on an adjacent brick, are provided with an intervening air space in the wall structure. l 3. A channel brick for hollow wall construction, provided with a body portion and vertically extending ribs or wall sections on one side, a non-alined rib on the other side, said sections being arranged in spaced pairs adjacent the ends of the body portion, the outer walls of each pair being the wall faces 125 ofthe brick, and the said spaced pairs providing a substantial open mortar receiving channel of greater Lwidth than said nonalined lug.

4. Hollow wall construction, comprising 13o f a plurality of super-imposed channel brick, each brick having a body portion with a plurality of vertically extending ribs, said ribs having vertical side walls, and each brick including a spaced pair of ribs adjacent each outer edge of the brick on one side, and a non-alined rib on the opposite side,`said outer pairs of ribs constituting mortar-receiving channels, motar uniting each of said outer pairs of ribs into a loadcarrying pillar of vertically alternating brick and bonding material, and each loadcarrying pillar being adjacent an air space in the wall.

155` 5. Hollow wall construction, comprising a plurality of super-imposed channel bricks, each brick being of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the wall and having a horizontal body portion connecting spaced pairs of perpendicularly extending gibs extending from one side adjacent each wall face and a non-alined rib in the opposite side between each pair, each outer` rib of the pairs being of substantially standard brick area, said pairs of ribs constituting mortar receiving channels and having the ribs of each pair united into a load-carrying pillar of alternating brick and mortar Inaterial,` the inner rib of each pillar being adjacent a'horizontal air space in the wall.

6. Hollow wall construction, comprising twin walls united by tie members of'brick lmaterial adjacent air spaces in the wall, each tie member comprising a body portion extending from wall to wall and having a y plurality of vertically extending ribs in each wall, spaced pairs of ribs on one side and a non-alined rib on the opposite side, all said ribs in each wall having vertical sides and being united by mortar into a load-carrying pillar of vertically alternating brick and bonding material.

7. Hollow wall construction, comprising twin walls united by tie members of brick material adjacent air spaces in the wall, each tie'member comprising a body portion extending from wall to wall and having a plurality of vertically extending ribs in each wall, spaced pairs of ribs on one side and a rib on the opposite side, between' each pair, all said ribs in each wall having vertical sides and being united by mortar into a loadcarrying pillar of vertically alternating` brick and bonding material.

8. In a building brick of the class described a top plate or body portion provided on its upper face at each side thereof with a pair of spaced apart upstanding webs or ribs the outer webs constituting the sides or exposed faces 0I" the brick and forming with the adjacent webs a pair of continuous spaced apart mortar channels, and on its lower face with the depending Webs or ribs non-alined with the top side ribs cooperating therewith to form zig-zag mortar courses interrupted by a central air-space throughout the wall.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to vthis specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JONATHAN P. B. FISKE. Witnesses:

JAMES R. HoDDER, R. G. HERSEY. 

